49ers Had Interest In Bears DC Vic Fangio

The 49ers expressed interest in forging a reunion with former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, but the Bears — Fangio’s current employer — blocked the potential move, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (Twitter link). Discussions never reached the point where the 49ers formally requested permission to interview Fangio, per Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (Twitter link).Vic Fangio (Vertical)

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San Francisco hasn’t officially begun its search for a new defensive coordinator because it hasn’t officially hired a head coach, and although the club is fully expected to bring in Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan as soon as he’s allowed to be hired, the 49ers are on hold until that time. However, the mere fact the San Francisco expressed interest in Fangio could mean that Shanahan has already — covertly, of course — begun reaching out to possible staff members in an effort to gauge interest.

Fangio, 58, served as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator from 2011-14 under former head coach Jim Harbaugh, delivering three top-five DVOA finishes during that time. After Harbaugh was fired, Fangio interviewed for San Francisco’s top job, but when the vacancy was filled by defensive line coach Jim Tomsula — a former subordinate — Fangio departed for Chicago, where he’s steadily improved the Bears’ defense during his two-year stay.

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